The Washington critic., 1887-12-22
GENERAL NEWS OF THE DAY.

Shortly before $3.50 o'clock yesterday
afternoon terrific explosion occurred
in front of the Poole Flour Mill in Roch-
ester, N. Y. Only few seconds after
the first explosion another followed, and
another and another in rapid succession,
Instantly flames burst from the Poole
Mill, and the rear walls fell in. IL was
only q few minutes before the Washing
ten Mills, adjoining the burning struc-
ture, were also on fire. The cause of the
explosion was that the sewers in the vicin-
ity were filed with naphtha. Yesterday
1900 gallons of naphtha were pumped
from the Vacuum Oil Works through
the pipe line in the bed. Of the old
canal. II was intended for the NUM-
cipal Gas Company, but one or more
breaks in the line allowed the naphtha
to escape into the adjoining sewers.
When the sewers became surcharged with
the gas it escaped into the mills, and
exploded there or elsewhcse, and made
its way through the mains in the mid
die of the streets, throwing out the mani
hole covers and tearing up the road
ways. Two or three Of the finest mills
in the city, with their contents, are
doomed, and several streets and sewers
are more or less damaged. The eX-
plosions continued at such frequent
intervals for the first half hour that the
people were deferred from getting any
where near tho fire. Women and chit
dren were running around crying and
screaming, thinking their brothers, hus-
bands or some other relatives were in
the mill and had been burned. The ex.
plosions ceased about half-past 6, and no
more danger is apprehcnded from them.
The explosions covered q wide extent of
territory. Nlan-holes over sewers on
Mill, Platt, State, West, Main, fremont,
Smith, Jay, Furnace, Factory, Brown
and many other streets were blown off
by the force of the explosion, and Il
great deal of the paving around them
was frequently found torn up. The
walls Of the jefferson Mill fell in about
4 o'clock.
The meeting of the stockholders of
the Richmond and Danville Railroad
was held in Richmond yesterday. Geo.
S. Scott Of New York was elected presi-
dent, also the directors chosen by the
Terminal Company in New York Tho
annual report of the president was SUBJ
mitted and referred TO u committee, con-
sisting of Messrs. Sully, G. II. Stone, j..
II. Inman and j. A. Rutherford, to be
printed and distributed. The report
was taken to New York last night for
publication. Mr. Scott, who was elected
president, succeeded Colonel Buford rs
president of the road About five years
ago he induced the latter to act as repre-
sentative in Richmond. After remain
ing at the head of the line for Il few
months Mr.. Scott went to Europe, where
he remained short time. Upon his
return, controlling majority of the
stock, Colonel Scott again made Colonel
Buford president. Mr.. Scott now sue
ceds Mr.. Snlly as the chief executive
officer of the Danville.
The following programme has been
announced by the president of the st.
Paul Ice Carnival: Wednesday, January
90, formal opening of the carnival park,
arrival OF the ice king by rail, and recep'
ton and parade; January 26, equipage
display; January q, first storming of
the ice palace; January 2S, children's
! day, with procession; January 80, pro
cession of old settlers and Indians; Jan
uary 81, day parade of clubs and floats
February !, trades and industrial parade
February 9, second storming Of the ice
palace; February 8, second equipago
display and floats.